Vision for 2006
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Mid-Month Notes - December 2005 |
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 VISION FOR 2006
As the year turns we are all naturally beginning to focus on 2006 and the upcoming Federal Election on January 23rd. There is however life beyond the election and there are many new plans and initiatives that hopefully the Lord Himself has inspired for our good. We come to Him in weakness and humiliation knowing that unless the Lord watches over the nation everything we do is in vain (Psalm 127:1). Of course we pray for those in high authority who are to rule over us but we do not look to them to do what God has called His Bride to do. May God give us the sort of politicians who will give us the peace and the freedom to preach the Gospel which alone can bring about personal and national transformation.
I have been pondering what it would take to see a profound change in the fabric of Canada that was clearly noticeable. Below is an outline of some themes which I am going to pursue in 2006 and will also send to you in more detail in a separate e-mail. The prayers for the Church are in 3 parts as we need to cover a lot of bases through the year. More to come!
GOD KEEP OUR LAND: ETERNAL FLAME PRAYER GATHERING Canada is in need of prayer as we enter the New Year! The elections plus other significant national, regional and local challenges at so many levels, need our focus in prayer as Christian leaders in this nation. As a concerned believer in Jesus you are invited to join others who love the Lord to pray as we begin a new year asking the Lord’s blessings, direction and protection for our nation. Saturday, January 14, 2006 - Ottawa 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Gathering at the Eternal Flame, Parliament Hill, Ottawa 7:00 – 8:30 pm Celebratory Worship, Prayer & Inspiration at the Metropolitan Bible Church (453 Bank Street) Pastors, intercessors, lay workers and key national prayer leaders have all been invited. Your presence will make a difference. Please let us know that you are coming and how many others you will invite to come with you. RSVP to info@nationalhouseofprayer.com This gathering is being sponsored by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the National House of Prayer http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/calendar/event_viewer.asp?Event_ID=274 for the 'pdf' version. STAND ON GUARD On Wednesday, December 14th, I attended a leadership meeting in Richmond with MP, Pat O'Brien (Liberal), former MP and Deputy Leader, Grant Hill, (PC), to discuss how the Christian community can mobilize to see a pro-marriage government elected in the 39th Parliament. This event was part of a cross-Canada, non-partisan, tour by ‘Vote Marriage Canada’, to rally strategic support for pro-marriage candidates. It was interesting that in the first election debate the Conservative Leader said that, while he would put the issue of gay marriage to the House of Commons for a vote, he would not try to get around any future court decisions by using the constitutional notwithstanding clause. This issue needs much prayer. Please see www.promarriage.ca and consider being a volunteer to pray. AZUSA STREET CENTENNIAL - April 25-29 - Los Angeles, CA I am planning to attend this centennial celebration not because of a morbid nostalgia but because I know deep down that I need a fresh coal from the fire of Azusa Street to touch my soul. There is still no substitute for the power of the Holy Spirit. Many have never known this power while for most of us we have got used to powerlessness! But I can remember what it felt like in the summer of 1964, in Saint John, to have a pastor who as a young woman had been impacted by the anointing in 1910 and spent her life in obedience to the Spirit. I want to be provoked to humble myself under the mighty hand of God. Have a look at their web sitewww.azusastreet100.net What about Canada? CANADIAN CITY IMPACT CONSULTATION This was not just another conference, it was a first ever for Canada, a ground breaking time, a kairos moment, standing on holy ground! Such were the sentiments expressed at this very timely get together of over 80 leaders from 35 towns and cities from Vancouver to Halifax. Three days in a hotel with a beautiful spirit of worship and prayer that led us to adore Jesus and to be more effective in reaching and discipling our cities for Christ. We were provoked by transformational teachers and fellowshipped over break-out groups and meals. God was glorified and most of us seemed to buy about six inspiring books for the journey home! We were extremely grateful to the city leadership groups of Mission GTA and Mission Ottawa/Outaouais that convened the Consultation - represented by Richard Long, Barry Boucher, Ken Hall and Mark Peterkins. For a more detailed report please see our IFC web site www.int4canada.com. (Dave visited Ottawa – November 21-23, 2005) NATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER - OTTAWA Rob and Fran Parker are now living their dream! The Lord has given them a mansion, with many rooms, in Ottawa for a National House Of Prayer. Note that this is not the Ottawa House Of Prayer but something that belongs to the whole Church in Canada. On October 14th, 2005, they were given the keys to a very impressive building, built in 1935, that was once a home to praying nuns, and also for 2 years – the Chinese Embassy. It is a place where cities can send a team (Monday – Friday) of up to twenty people to pray for the nation and also visit parliament to pray over the government. In a spirit of prayer, teams would also learn much about prayer through Rob and Fran’s ministry. This is a tremendous project, so new and so fresh for Canada, and it carries a commanded blessing when cities come together in unity for our nation. They have had one financial miracle in obtaining the building for half price at only $900k, but now they need another miracle to see it mortgage free. Let us pray that this national treasure will grow in credibility and influence both in Ottawa and from coast to coast. Be blessed at www.nhop.ca. (Dave visited the NHOP on November 24th with a group from the City Impact Consultation) PRAYER RAMP - 'HELPING CANADA TAKE OFF FOR EVANGELISM' National prayer focus for evangelism: May 3 – June 11, 2006 At the end of August about two dozen national and city prayer leaders came together in Mississauga to seek God for a united prayer focus in 2006. It became very clear both in prayer and from the Bible, that prayer and evangelism were strongly linked in the purposes of God, and we coined the phrase ‘Christ Driven Prayer and Evangelism’! Our prayer focus was then seen to be vitally linked to national outreach initiatives like Alpha Canada and Celebration 2006. Drawing from the inspiration of Alpha to have a 40 – Day Prayer Blitz, we found that it naturally included a number of significant initiatives from May 3rd to June 11th Wednesday May 3 40 Days of Prayer Starts - Daily Prayer calendar available Saturday May 6 Heal Our Land – Wave of Prayer from Coast to Coast Friday May 26 10 days of 24/7 prayer and fasting Saturday May 27 Start of Celebration 2006 national, community based evangelism Sunday June 4 Pentecost Sunday and the Global Day of Prayer Sunday June 11 Final Day of the 40 days of Prayer and for Celebration 2006 PRAYER RAMP NATIONAL TELECONFERENCE PRAYER MEETING The working group for the Prayer Ramp are sponsoring a national prayer call on the second Thursday of each month at 8:00am PT/11:00am ET to begin on Thursday, January 12th. I will be facilitating the call on behalf of the team and the first 100 people to log on will be part of the call. We hope to prepare the call with advanced e-mails and pray together for our nation in a disciplined and exciting way. Please reply to me atinfo@int4canada.com if you would like to be sent details of this call. Main qualification is that you are already a prayer leader in your church or city. |
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